Nigeria, Jan. 31 -- The 2023 Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) continues to be a tournament of surprises. A day after the defending champions Senegal, Africa's second-ranked team, were sent packing by the hosts. the top-ranked Morocco team, who made it to the 2022 World Cup semifinals, were sent packing by South Africa.

Two second half goals from Evidence Makgopa including an excellent free-kick by Teboho Mokoena meant that all the top five FIFA-ranked African teams have been sent packing before the quarterfinal stage.

Morocco started the better of the two teams, but Bafana Bafana, under the stewardship of Hugo Broos, stayed compact and gradually played their way into the match. Morocco's manager Walid Regragui had to replace his two dynamic w...